“Both? Claire, don’t you dare hang up on?—”
She hangs up and turns off her phone. Then she lets out a long breath and gives me a rueful smile. “That went well.”
I pull her into my arms. “He’ll come around. Eventually.”
“Maybe.” She rests her head against my chest. “I’m going to keep trying. And I want you to try too. Please help me to send him real information about Krovenia and your species.”
“And if he never believes the truth?”
She’s quiet for a moment. “Then he doesn’t. But I’m not giving you up for anyone. Not even my brother.”
I press a kiss to her forehead. “My Queen.”
“My King,” she chuckles and tilts her face up to mine, a slow smile spreading across her lips. “Now. I believe we were in the middle of something before we were so rudely interrupted.”
She tugs at the belt of my robe.
“Two days wasn’t enough?”
“Two days is never enough.” She pushes the robe off my shoulders. “I’m thinking we need at least two more.”
Her mouth finds mine.
And she’s right.
Everything else can wait.
Epilogue
Claire
Three Months Later
I stare at myself in the mirror and I can’t quite believe what I’m seeing.
An actual bride in an actual wedding dress, about to marry a vampire king.
The dress is stunning. The top is a sleeveless corset overlaid in lace with a tiny row of white bows down the front. Then the skirt widens to a simple creamy satin to the floor. It’s not too princessy and yet not too simple. And it perfectly shows off my best features. It’s perfect. And not too tight, which is perfect considering I’m now three months along. The palace healer says everything looks healthy.
“You look beautiful, Your Majesty.”
I turn to find Mrs. Vasek behind me, happy tears forming in her eyes.
“You can still call me Claire, you know.”
“Absolutely not.” She adjusts my veil with trembling fingers. “I’ve waited thirty-two years to see that boy happy. I’m not about to start being informal now.”
I laugh and take her hands in mine. “Thank you, for everything. For helping me to pull of this human-style wedding, for the petition, for believing in us, for?—”
“Oh, stop that.” She waves me off, dabbing at her eyes. “You’ll make me cry more and I’ve already gone through three handkerchiefs.”
I glance over and see a postmarked card addressed to me.
“That arrived this morning,” Mrs. Vasek says quietly. “From America.”
My heart squeezes. I pick up the card and open it and immediately recognize Derek’s handwriting. Messy as always.Claire —I still think this is insane. But I hope you’re happy.— D
That’s it. Two sentences. But it’s the most he’s said to me since I hung up on him three months ago.
